Alexander Brown and Brian Geytenbeek, illustrated by Jilaga Murray,
Ngarla Songs
Fremantle Arts Centre Press, in association with Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre, 2003.

Ages 14+

Ngarla Songs brings together a collection of the words to more than sixty anecdotal songs composed by Ngarla people, an aboriginal group from the Pilbara region in northwest Australia. Presented in the original Ngarla with English translation, they provide a fascinating insight into the social history of the area over the last few generations.

The book’s authors Brian Geytenbeek, a field linguist, and Alexander ‘Sandy’ Brown, who at the time of their meeting was working on a cattle-station, worked together for ten years to bring Ngarla Songs to fruition. What emerges from reading the introduction is how fortunate it was that they came together when they did: up until then, none of these songs had been written down and Brown's intimate knowledge of the events, places and people referred to could otherwise so easily have been lost.

The songs are arranged by author, with a short biography and, for the most part, a photograph of the songwriter. The book's lay-out works well, with plenty of space given to each song.  Jilaga Murray’s small black and white illustrations dotted throughout the book offer visual reference points; and a frieze running along the top of every page provides a thread of continuity.  The songs themselves are explained through excellent footnotes, which both provide linguistic details and root the songs in their geographical, historical and cultural context.  Without this key, tapping the emotions of the songs would be less rewarding.

Certain themes emerge from the songs: all the songwriters reveal an affinity with nature and the weather; journeys figure greatly; and some specific events are also recorded, for example, “Kurlurrumarnunya/ Raging Flood” by Jawalya Pilu is about some children having to ride across the flooded De Grey River in 1943: and one of those children was actually Sandy Brown!

In the introduction, Geytenbeek states, “My desire has been to present the songs in such a way that thoughtful readers will be able to relive the emotions of the authors when they composed them.” Indeed, these songs will be accessible to most people only through their translation – but fortunately, Geytenbeek has succeeded. Alexander Brown and Brian Geytenbeek have opened up this rich source of poetry for the enjoyment of the world at large and have preserved a precious chapter of Australia’s heritage in the process.

Marjorie Coughlan
August 2009